Legendary thrash guitarist Kerry King set Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ablaze on January 25, 2025, with a date on his inaugural headline solo tour, delivering a high-octane performance at the Burton Cummings Theatre that left no doubt about his post-Slayer prowess. The frigid January night celebrated metal, with Alien Weaponry and Municipal Waste providing blistering support sets before Kerry King and his band took center stage.
Kicking off the evening was New Zealand’s Alien Weaponry, whose Maori-inspired thrash and groove metal captivated the Winnipeg audience. Their set began with the powerful “Raupatu,” instantly drawing fans into their unique fusion of cultural storytelling and heavy metal riffs. Highlights of their set included the bone-shaking “Rū Ana Te Whenua” and the fan-favourite “Kai Tangata,” which had the crowd moshing in primal unison. The trio’s energy and authenticity set the tone for an unforgettable night.
Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography.
Next up, crossover thrash titans Municipal Waste transformed the Burton Cummings Theatre into a chaotic metal party rager. Marking their first time back to Winnipeg in over twelve years, the band hit the stage with relentless speed and infectious humour, they tore through a fourteen-track career-spanning setlist, which featured songs like “Sadistic Magician,” “Slime and Punishment,” “You're Cut Off,” “Grave Dive,” and massive fan-favourites like “The Art of Partying” and “The Trashin' of the Christ.” Frontman Tony Foresta commanded the crowd with charisma, and by the time they closed with the anthemic “Born To Party,” the venue was a swirling pit of headbangers revelling in the band’s anarchic fun.
Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography.
The anticipation in the room reached a fever pitch as the stage lights dimmed for Kerry King’s arrival. Backed by a formidable band of heavy hitters in the metal community—vocalist Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), drummer Paul Bostaph (Slayer, ex-Testament), guitarist Kyle Sanders (ex-Hellyeah, ex-Bloodsimple), and guitarist Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head, ex-Vio-lence)—King unleashed a ferocious set that balanced a majority of his new solo material with Slayer classics, proving he’s as vital to the genre as ever.
Opening the set with the menacing “Where I Reign,” King immediately showcased his signature razor-sharp riffing. New songs like “Trophies of the Tyrant” and “Residue” bristled with aggression, seamlessly fitting alongside Slayer staples played during the set like “Disciple” and “At Dawn They Sleep.” A nod to his influences came with covers of Iron Maiden’s “Purgatory” and “Killers,”—which were also dedicated to the late Paul Di'Anno—and were delivered with a thrash twist that paid homage to metal’s roots.
The crowd erupted into crazed chaos for the set's third and second last songs, the Slayer classics “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic,” their iconic riffs reverberating through the historic theatre. However, it was King’s solo material that truly impressed fans during the night, with tracks like “From Hell I Rise” and “Two Fists” cementing his identity as a solo artist capable of carrying his legacy forward.
The stage production matched the intensity of the performances, with fiery visuals, strobes, and a thunderous sound system amplifying every single note. King’s guitar work was front and center, his presence commanding as he prowled the stage. The intimate setting of the Burton Cummings Theatre allowed fans to fully immerse themselves in the raw power of the music, making for an electrifying connection between King, his band, and the entire audience.
Kerry King’s first headline solo tour is a triumph, a testament to his enduring influence in the metal world. In Winnipeg, he delivered a masterclass in thrash, supported by two outstanding opening acts that further cemented the night as a celebration of heavy music’s past, present, and future.
For fans of thrash metal, this tour is an unmissable experience—proof that Kerry King’s reign in metal is far from over.
Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography.